Clark Plays Guitar
Rockford, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
(by Wayne Klinger)
The music on this release goes through phases of Rock/Metal and Blues with a little humor at times as far as song titles go. One title on here was purposely used for the ridiculous clichés that 80's Metal bands used all the time in their lyrics or song titles (stuff about fantasy creatures, evil, etc-- you get the idea). Clark shows a lot of diversity no matter what genre he's making his compositions from. He's also one of those superheroes of multi-purpose talents being able to play a few instruments in his repertoire. I'd say his style is somewhere in the balance of Blues Saraceno, Jobo, Bochar and Chaz DePaolo with hints of Vinnie Moore. These are just references however as Clark is definitely something quite different in terms of the way he writes and handles his music. The leads and rhythms are catchy and inspiring; just the whole damn cd is impressive.
- Quintessence Metal Webzine
“Clark Colborn’s fat and massively effected tone comes on like Godzilla, and it shifts between slinky, silky, scary, spiky, and searing. ...his brilliantly schizoid technical/primitive approach to the guitar is pretty exciting. In short, he rocks."
Michael Molenda - Guitar Player Magazine (Mar, 2008)
- Guitar Player Magazine
Reviewed by Gregory C. Johnson
gregor@beetcafe.com
Rating:
4 out of 5
"The guitar has ruled the sound of Rock music from the beginning…" So begins the liner notes of the Clark Plays Guitar CD from Clark Colborn. Colborn is the man behind or should we say in front of Clark Plays Guitar. He's right. The guitar has had an incredible impact upon rock.
Clark Plays Guitar is an instrumental compilation of what makes the guitar great; biting chords, haunting leads, and melodic harmonies. Listening to the CD takes you back to the days when Randy Rhodes and Eddie Van Halen turned playing guitar into an art form.
Colborn has compiled a twelve song selection for the Clark Plays Guitar CD. All the compositions are Colborn's and he performs or programs all of the instruments. The song styles range from hard driving rock in "Return From Oblivion" and "Smoke and Mirrors" to the melodic with "Unconditional" and "Bittersweet".
Yes, it's metal. Yes, it's progressive. And yes, I like it. The more I listen to this CD, the more I like it. So if you like metal, Clark Plays Guitar is worth a listen. And by the way, if you are reading this Clark and you need a bass player…
- BeetCafe.com
“These guys were simply incredible live! …Fans of progressive metal and 70’s guitar heroes should definitely check this guy out. He is one of the greats, without question.”
Gary Hill - Music Street Journal
- Music Street Journal
“These guys were simply incredible live! …Fans of progressive metal and 70’s guitar heroes should definitely check this guy out. He is one of the greats, without question.”
Gary Hill - Music Street Journal
- Music Street Journal
Discography
"Clark Plays Guitar" (on the Krypton Entertainment Group label, released December 18, 2003)
First single "Stainless (with a Touch of Cosmic Power), went to number 1 on MadhauzRadio no less than 3 times, and spent an amazing 30 weeks in the top 5
Photos
Bio
Guitar Player magazine says “Clark Colborn's fat and massively effected tone comes on like Godzilla, and it shifts between slinky, silky, scary, spiky, and searing. ...his brilliantly schizoid technical/primitive approach to the guitar is pretty exciting. In short, he rocks." Yes, THE Guitar Player magazine; the same one that covers guitarists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Jimmy Page, & Jeff Beck. High praise indeed, for a guy you probably haven’t heard of until now.
Clark Colborn is the guitarist behind Clark Plays Guitar, the name given to his band, his debut CD, and his web site. Audiences numbering nearly 10,000 strong have roared their approval at his live shows over the years, and reviewers have done the same in print regarding various incarnations of his bands. Lively Times magazine: “Colborn solos his ass off.” RAM magazine: “...they (Colborn’s band) maintain an energy level you won’t believe until you survive it. Clark Colborn… brings intense excitement to the lead guitar.” TheGuitarists.com calls Clark’s playing on the first CD “hot and very tasteful.”
Guitarist Clark Colborn spent years ripping through the Midwest club and outdoor festival scene with hard rock bands such as Cheater, Rogue, and Sleight of Hand. Now recording & performing as a solo artist, Clark adopted the name of his first release for his live band, and is proving that the Guitar Hero is back. BeetCafe.com and MusicStreetJournal.com both put Clark in the same league as Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen! Listen to the music, and decide for yourself.
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